Last place on line as Chesapeake hosts Charlotte

Mitchell Layton, Getty Images, Capital Gazette

Michael Manley, left, of the Rochester Rattlers applies pressure to Matt Mackrides of the Chesapeake Bayhawks during a Major League Lacrosse game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on Thursday.

Michael Manley, left, of the Rochester Rattlers applies pressure to Matt Mackrides of the Chesapeake Bayhawks during a Major League Lacrosse game at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis on Thursday. (Mitchell Layton, Getty Images, Capital Gazette)

Bill Wagner, bwagner@capgaznews.com

They're calling it the Lyle Thompson Bowl.

Last place in Major League Lacrosse will be on the line when the Chesapeake Bayhawks (4-9) host the Charlotte Hounds (4-9) on Saturday night in Annapolis. Losing team receives the No. 1 pick in the 2015 Collegiate Draft, which most observers believe will be the high-scoring and highly entertaining All-American attackman from Albany.

However, in an interesting twist, the Hounds won't benefit if they get the top spot in the draft, having traded their first round pick in 2015 to the Hamilton Nationals last July for midfielder Josh Hawkins (Loyola University).

That franchise relocated and is now known as the Florida Launch, who thus would receive the No. 1 overall selection if Charlotte loses to Chesapeake on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Chesapeake does retain rights to its first rounder and head coach Dave Cottle said the team will likely select an attackman.

"If we're in that position, we'll be looking for an attackman," Cottle said Wednesday during the Major League Lacrosse teleconference. "If Lyle Thompson is the best attackman then we'll draft him."

Thompson was named the Most Outstanding Player in Division I by the United States Intercollegiate Lacrosse Association and was co-recipient of the Tewaaraton Trophy along with brother Miles after a record-setting junior season at Albany. A native of the Onondaga Nation, Lyles Thompson set the NCAA single-season record with 128 points en route to being named first team All-American and Most Outstanding Attackman.

Thompson is also a fan favorite due to his slick stickwork and exciting, creative style of play. However, Cottle, who also serves as president of the Bayhawks, was coy when pressed about whether he would make Thompson the top overall pick in the 2015 draft. Cottle said there are several other outstanding players to consider, including Denver attackman Wes Berg and Ohio State midfielder Jesse King, both of whom were third team All-Americans.

In terms of ticket and memorabilia sales, Major League Lacrosse would no doubt like to see Lyle Thompson reunited with his brother in Rochester. Miles Thompson had a solid rookie season with the Rattlers, totaling 13 points in just eight games.

Rochester holds a pair of first-round draft picks for 2015 and Cottle said Chesapeake or Florida might consider trading out of the No. 1 spot. "If you could get two first rounders for one you would have to think about it," he said.

While there is talk that Chesapeake would "tank" on Saturday night in order to secure the No. 1 pick, Cottle insisted nothing could be further from the truth.

"We're going to compete and play hard like we always do. Anybody who does not play to win regardless of the circumstances is not the type of person we want on our team," said Cottle, who was asked during the weekly MLL teleconference what he expects to see out of his team.

"I expect to see a commitment to our fans and a commitment to each other. I expect to see great energy and effort. I expect our team to end the season professionally," he said.

Yet the situation does give Cottle an opportunity to evaluate some younger players. He is committed to playing rookie goalkeeper Jack Runkel (Loyola) for a half on Saturday and would also like to give attackman Jimmy Dailey (Stevenson) some action.

Runkel took over as Chesapeake's backup goalie after starter Kip Turner (Severn School) suffered a broken thumb and was replaced by Tyler Fiorito (McDonogh). Dailey has been with the Bayhawks for three seasons, strictly as a member of the practice squad.

On the other hand, Cottle also stated that he will play veteran close defenseman Brian Spallina, a 35-year-old whose future with the team is uncertain. Spallina has been a member of a record six MLL championship teams, including with the Bayhawks in 2012 and 2013.

"It's a balance because you want to be loyal to some of the older guys while at the same time getting a look at some of the younger guys," Cottle said of his approach to determining which players will dress on Saturday night.

Charlotte's leading scorers are pair of attackman out of Loyola University. Rookie Justin Ward has been a pleasant surprise, setting a single-season franchise record for assists (20) while totaling a team-high 32 points. Second-year professional Mike Sawyer leads the Hounds with 23 goals, three of which are 2-pointers.

"Justin Ward has changed the way we play offense. He is the type of playmaker and feeder who makes everyone on the field better," Charlotte head coach Mike Cerino said of the Old Mill High product.

Five Maryland products – attackman Ryan Young (17 points), midfielders John Haus (25 points) and Mike Chanenchuk as well as defensemen Brett Schmidt and Michael Ehrhardt – also play prominent roles for the Hounds.

This is a rematch of last year's MLL Championship game, which Chesapeake won 10-9 to capture the Steinfeld Cup for the third time in the span of four years.